148 OUTLINES OF ICHTHYOLOGY. 



angler, who would fain be also a naturalist, would 

 probably find himself not a little perplexed in at- 

 tempting to arrive, by the aid of existing manuals, 

 at any clear general conception of a subject which, 

 if stripped of needless difficulties and plainly 'set 

 before him, he would have easily mastered. 



The value to the fisherman of even a moderate 

 acquaintance with ichthyology can hardly be exag- 

 gerated. Not only is it of the utmost practical 

 assistance, by the insight which it affords into the 

 habits, food, spawning-seasons, &c., of the several 

 fish and consequently into what are likely to be 

 the best means of taking them but it also doubles 

 the pleasure of success. The most insignificant 

 captures have to the naturalist an interest of their 

 own, apart from their mere weight in avoirdupois* 

 He is able to identify the various species he meets 

 with, many of which would otherwise pass unre- 

 cognized, to distinguish their sexes, ages, and 

 conditions, and to read with an intelligent eye the 

 mysteries of this beautiful page of Nature. 



In spite of the advance of Fish-science, there 

 are still many moot points and disputed theories 

 connected with it which require elucidation, pro- 

 bably also many new varieties of fish yet to be 

 discovered, and it may often be within the power 

 of the angler-naturalist to observe and accurately 

 describe characteristics and peculiarities of the 

 highest interest to science. 



Notwithstanding, however, these inducements, 



